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NEWT SUSPENDED HIS CAMPAIGN FOR THE PRESIDENCY YESTERDAY JUST AS YOU WOULD SUSPECT!
Newt Gingrich finally made good on his promise to bow of out the presidential race yesterday in front of a crowd of family members, aides and supporters. In making the announcement, Gingrich said, "Today I'm suspending the campaign, but suspending the campaign does not mean suspending citizenship." He added that he and his wife, Callista, "owe it to America" to remain involved in politics. He also gave a half-hearted endorsement of his one-time rival Mitt Romney, while slamming President Obama, saying, "This is a choice between Mitt Romney and the most radical, leftist president in American history."
THE SCREAM SELLS FOR A WORLD RECORD $120 MILLION!
A pastel version of The Scream by Edvard Munch set a new world record for the most expensive work of art sold at auction yesterday when an anonymous buyer plunked down nearly $120 million for it. The official buying price was $119, 922,500, which includes a cut to auction house Sotheby's. Although experts expected the piece to set a new record, pre-sale estimates had the masterpiece going for $80 million. The previous record holder for the most expensive artwork sold at auction was Pablo Picasso's Nude, Green Leave, and Bust, which pulled in a cool $106.5 million a few years back. Trivia buffs take note: The version of The Scream that sold yesterday is one of four. Between 1893 and 1910, Munch did two pastels and two paintings of the piece, which has become one of the most famous images in the history of modern art.
WHOA, THE JOHN EDWARDS CASE JUST CONTINUES TO GET WORSE…
There were more tears and drama in the John Edwards trial yesterday. Edwards' daughter, Cate, left the court room in tears after a former Edwards' communications adviser and friend of his wife Elizabeth Edwards testified about the dramatic confrontation over his affair. Christina Reynolds testified that after the National Inquirer reported about Edwards' affair with Rielle Hunter, Elizabeth Edwards confronted her husband at a North Carolina airport in 2007. At one point, Reynolds said, Elizabeth Edwards screamed, "You don't see me anymore" and stripped off her shirt and bra in front of her husband and his staffers. John Edwards is on trial for allegedly using campaign donations to cover up his pregnant mistress. Elizabeth Edwards died in 2010 from breast cancer.
GUESS IF YOU GOT ARRESTED ON 4/20 AND GOT LEFT IN A JAIL CELL FOR 5 DAYS, YOU’D DRINK YOUR OWN PEE TOO!
The Drug Enforcement Administration apologized yesterday for keeping a UC San Diego student in a holding cell for nearly five days without food or water. Daniel Chong, 23, says he was forgotten about in a 5-foot by 10-foot cell after he was arrested April 21 following a marijuana raid at his friend’s house. Chong said he was questioned and initially told he could go home; no criminal charges would be filed against him. But instead of getting released, he was placed in the cell where he remained without human contact for five days. He says no one answered his cries for help and he was even forced to drink his own urine to survive. When the DEA finally discovered him, he was incoherent. He spent three days in an intensive care unit. DEA San Diego Acting Special Agent-In-Charge William R. Sherman offered his “deepest apologies” to Chong and said he has personally ordered an extensive review of his office's policies and procedures.
THE OLYMPIANS ARE GONNA BE LOVIN’ THE WORLD’S LARGEST McDONALD’S!
The world's biggest McDonald's restaurant is set to open at this summer's Olympic Games in London. The new location will seat 1,500 people and is about half the size of a football stadium. Even though McDonald's isn't quite health food, it has been a sponsor of the Olympics since 1968.
OH GREAT, PROGRESS ENERGY IS SEEKING A RATE HIKE…
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SURVEY SAYS: WHEN DO YOU BELIEVE THE END OF DAYS IS COMING?
It’s the end of the world as we know it! Well, according to some people. A global survey found that one in seven people believes the world will end in their lifetime, whether by a natural disaster or religious or political event. Further, 10% of people side with the Mayans and think 2012 will be the year of the apocalypse. People who fear that the end is nigh tend to be under the age of 35 and have lower income and education levels. We think they probably also tend to be at least a little crazy.
THE CAST OF JERSEY SHORE GOT NOTHIN’ ON THIS LADY!
An overly-bronzed (understatement of the century) New Jersey woman pleaded not guilty yesterday to second-degree child endangerment charges after police accused her of bringing her 5-year-old daughter into a tanning booth. Patricia Krentcil, 44, told the court she is a “wonderful mother” and said the whole incident was a misunderstanding. She admitted to bringing her daughter with her to the tanning salon, but said she would never subject her fair-skinned daughter to the heat of the tanning booth. Authorities said the girl was sunburned, but Krentcil insists that happened while her daughter was playing outside on a warm day. The girl was allowed to stay in the home with her mother, but is being monitored by state child welfare workers.
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 2-YEAR OLD? NOPE.
Are you smarter than a two-year-old? Not these two-year-olds! A toddler in Canada and a tot in the U.S. have recently joined the ranks of Mensa, the international high-IQ society. Anthony Popa Urria of Calgary, who’s two years and nine months, has an IQ of 154, just a few points lower than the estimated IQs of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking! He speaks three languages (English, Spanish and Romanian), reads full sentences, and writes his own name and many other words. Meanwhile, Emmelyn Roettger of Washington, D.C., was two years and 11 months when she was accepted into Mensa in March. She has an IQ of 134, is familiar with the concept of mitosis and can explain the process of metamorphosis in butterflies. What were you doing at two years old?
YOUR LATEST HIDDING COKE IN A _______________ STORY IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DUBAI!
A woman traveling through the Dubai airport had a very bad hair day -- bad enough to land her in prison, once security personnel discovered a stash of cocaine hidden in her 'do. The inspectors grew suspicious when they noticed an odd bulge in her hair and a few stray white flakes -- which she explained away by saying she was wearing a hefty amount of glue to hold her weave in place. But when they checked more closely, they found 10 small rolls, each holding about an ounce of the drug. She's currently being held pending charges.
AH YES YOUNG GRASSHOPPER…IN GREEN BEANS?!
A Canadian woman is hopping mad after buying a can of green beans and finding a little extra protein -- in the form of a large grasshopper. Krystal Boyce-Gaudreau says she opened the can and poured out the contents only to find the top inch and a half of a large grasshopper staring her in the face. She wrote a horrified letter to the manufacturer and said she was "disappointed" in the response, which included telling her that insects often slipped by, but were turned red by lasers used in the canning process -- so they'd be easy for customers to fish out. Boyce-Gaudreau suggested the canner change the labeling to read "may contain grasshopper."
WE’VE HEARD OF A DOG BITING ITS OWNER, BUT THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS…
An Illinois woman was hauled off to jail on charges of coming home drunk and sinking her teeth into a Chicago-style dog -- namely her pet English bulldog. Analise Garner left a bad taste in the mouths of her entire family when she stumbled home and caused the drunken ruckus, which included sinking her teeth into the pooch deeply enough to break the skin, then turning on her own mom, scratching and biting her as well. The 19-year-old was charged with animal cruelty, assault and underage drinking. After suffering three puncture wounds, the dog did bite back, but was not charged with anything.
BEHOLD: THE BIRTHDAY CARD THAT DOUBLES AS A SHOT GLASS!
Everybody likes to buy birthday shots for their friends. Now there's something even better -- a birthday card that turns into a shot glass.
The card from 55 Hi's is available as a regular one you can put in an envelope, or as one with an opening you can use to hang it on a bottle of booze. Cheers!
JUNIOR SEAU, THE NFL GREAT, IS GONE L
Former NFL all-star linebacker Junior Seau was found dead yesterday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot at his Oceanside, California home. He was 43. Seau's girlfriend called 911 at approximately 9:45 a.m. PT yesterday after she found him unconscious in a bedroom with an apparent gunshot to the chest. A gun was found near his body, but there was no suicide note found. Seau's mother broke down at the press conference announcing her son's death and much of the sports world was also stunned and devastated by the news. In a statement, the San Diego Chargers -- the team which Junior spent the bulk of his pro career with -- said, "Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now. We ask everyone to stop what they're doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family." Although Seau reportedly never suffered a concussion in the NFL, some have suggested his suicide might be linked to brain injuries. Several other former players -- including former Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson, ex-Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Terry Long and Philadelphia defensive back Andre Waters -- have committed suicide in recent years, possibly due to depression brought on by brain injuries.
THE NFL HAS LAID DOWN THE LAW ON THE PLAYERS INVOLVED IN BOUTNTY GATE (OH, AND THE SAINTS ARE SCREWED)
The coaches got theirs and now it's time for the players. Four current and former New Orleans Saints players were suspended by the NFL yesterday for their roles in the team's cash-for-hits plan that aimed to injure key rival players during the 2009 through 2011 seasons. Saints defensive captain Jonathan Vilma was suspended for the entirety of next season without pay. There others received lesser penalties. Anthony Hargrove, a defensive lineman who now plays for the Green Bay Packers, will be sacked for the first eight games of the season; Will Smith, a defensive end still playing for New Orleans, will have to sit out the first four games; and Scott Fujita, a linebacker now with the Cleveland Browns, will be benched for the first three games of the season. All will serve their suspensions without pay, which will cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars.
WANNA KNOW HOW JONATHAN VILMA FOUND OUT? OUCH
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IN OTHER, MORE POSITIVE NFL NEWS: THE BUCCANEERS MADE A PRETTY COOL SIGNING YESTERDAY
While there was plenty of bad news in the NFL yesterday with the death of Junior Seau and the latest suspensions related to bounty-gate, there was also some heart-warming news. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Eric LeGrand to an honorary contract. It's only a symbolic gesture. He won't receive a salary, but the team is sending him a contract, helmet and a number-52 jersey. The Rutgers defensive tackle was paralyzed in a game against Army in October 201 when he broke two vertebrae and suffered a serious spinal cord injury.
JERED WEAVER THREW THE 2ND NO-NO OF THE YEAR FOR THE ANGELS!
The Los Angeles Angels went to Jered Weaver on Wednesday and the ace pitched a gem of a game, tossing the second no-hitter of the very young 2012 season, blanking the Minnesota Twins 9-0. Weaver’s dream game was the first no-hitter in the Angels home park since Nolan Ryan mowed down every Baltimore Orioles batter on June 1, 1975. In more MLB action, Carlos Beltran belted two 3-run home runs and piled up 7 RBIs as the St. Louis Cardinals crushed the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-3; Chipper Jones blasted a 2-run walk-off big fly in the 11th inning to ruin Carlos Ruiz’s 7-RBI night and lift the Atlanta Braves past the Philadelphia Phillies 15-13; and Jason Giambi’s 3-run walk-off round tripper in the 9th pushed the Colorado Rockies past the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5. Here are all the MLB scores.
NHL ROUNDUP: RANGERS WIN IN 3OT!
The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals on Wednesday both scored a goal in the second period but New York capped the night’s scoring with a game-winner in the third overtime period. Ryan Callahan gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead before John Carlson tied it up for the Caps. Marian Gaborik finally sealed the deal at 14:41 of the third overtime period. New York now has a 2-1 lead in the series, with game 4 scheduled for Saturday. In Nashville, David Legwand and Mike Fisher scored in the first period, Pekka Rinne pushed aside 32 shots and the Predators held on for a 2-0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes. Phoenix still holds a 2-1 edge in the series, with game 4 slated for tomorrow.
TEBOW WENT TO SOME GIRL’S PROM! WELL, SORT OF
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LOOKS LIKE JAY CUTLER AND THAT CHICK FROM THE HILLS ARE HAVING A BOY…
Kristin Cavallari is expecting a boy, according to Jay Cutler’s Chicago Bears teammate. “New toys, a baby on the way – he’s having a boy – I’m excited for Jay,” Bears Wide Receiver Earl Bennett told a radio show. “It’s a great time.” Cavallari and Cutler have yet to confirm the baby’s gender.
OMG, IS BRANGELINA GETTING HITCHED IN THE BAHAMAS? DOES ANYONE REALLY CARE?
The National Enquirer claims Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have settled on their wedding plans, and will tie the knot later this month in a private ceremony in the Bahamas. According to the tab, only the couple’s six kids, their nannies and a few close friends will witness the vows, which will take place near the spot where Angie scattered her mother Marcheline’s ashes. “She’s convinced her mother’s spirit will be with her on her big day, and Angelina is filled with joy just thinking about it,” claims the insider. The source says the superstars originally planned to wed at their $70 million estate on the French Riviera on August 11th, the 50th wedding anniversary of Brad’s parents. They changed their minds after they began fighting over the plans. Instead they settled on the private ceremony, with a big party in France at a later date. “The moment Brad suggested it, Angie screamed, ‘yes,’” claims a source. “It seemed like the perfect solution to their problems.”
LILO WAS SNEAKING CIGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE DINNER AND SHE TIPPED THE BATHROOM ATTENDANT FAT!
Lindsay Lohan seemed to behave herself at the White House Correspondence Dinner Saturday night, although New York Post columnist Cindy Adams reports she “disappeared a few times into the john,” to grab a cigarette. Even though paparazzi has snapped Lindsay smoking numerous times over the years, Adams said Lindsay claimed “she doesn’t usually smoke but is boning up on it to prep for her Elizabeth Taylor role.” Meanwhile, Adams claims Lohan was moved to tears after noticing an “elderly Hispanic named Bianca,” cleaning the ladies’ room, and decided to give her a $100 tip. Lindsay told the woman, “you’re too old to be doing this.” Bianca first refused the tip, but Lindsay insisted.
LOOKS LIKE DEMI LOVATO & BRITNEY SPEARS ARE UP FOR THE X FACTOR GIG?
Demi Lovato may be sitting next to Britney Spears at the X Factor judge's table. TMZ says the teen is the front-runner for the fourth seat on the competition show, though she hasn't gotten an offer yet. Brit still hasn't signed a contract, but is expected to any day now. The other contenders for that last spot are Miley Cyrus, Avril Lavigne, LeAnn Rimes and Fergie.
BOBBY BROWN SAYS WHITNEY HAD A SERIOUS DRUG PROBLEM BEFORE THEY GOT TOGETHER…
Bobby Brown claims he never got high on "narcotics" before meeting Whitney Houston. In an interview that aired on the Today show yesterday, Bobby said, "I smoked weed and drank beer...but no, I wasn't the one that got Whitney on drugs... I'm not the reason she's gone." He told Matt Lauer that Whitney's drug habit "was part of her life BEFORE we got together." Bobby said he hasn't touched "narcotics" in seven years and was "hurt" to learn his ex-wife had been using again in her final days.
OH LAWD, ASHTON KUTCHER’S CATCHING SOME FLACK FOR DONNING ‘BROWNFACE’ IN HIS NEW COMMERCIAL…
Ashton Kutcher is coming under fire for donning "brownface" in a new video ad campaign for PopChips. In the spot, the Two and a Half Men star plays multiple characters searching for romance on a fictional website, but his portrayal of a Bollywood producer has some on Twitter fuming. Blogger Anil Dash tweeted, "Hey, startups that are helping [Ashton] get richer, can you tell him that racist brownface ads aren't cool? Thanks!" The snack company issued a statement, saying the ad campaign "was never indented to stereotype or offend anyone. At PopChips we embrace all types of shapes, flavors and colors, and appreciate all snackers, no matter their race or ethnicity. We hope people can enjoy this in the spirit it was intended."
THAT WIZ KAHLIFA DUDE GOT BUSTED FOR WEED AGAIN…
Wiz Khalifa, who is known for rapping about rolling joints "bigger than King Kong's fingers" ... was busted for weed again Tuesday night ... this makes it his second drug bust in less than two weeks. The Winston-Salem Police Department in North Carolina ticketed Wiz for possession of marijuana before his concert Tuesday. Officers discovered 11.39 grams of pot after searching Wiz and his tour bus. Wiz, along with other members of his band and staff, were cited and released ... and are required to appear in court at a later date. Cops say Wiz and his people were blazing up on the tour bus before the concert.
FOX OK’S A NEW REALITY DATING SHOW CALLED THE CHOICE…CHECK THIS OUT
Fox is turning NBC’s The Voice into a dating show. The network has given the go-ahead for The Choice, in which eligible celebrities compete to find a date among a sexy group of singles who they can’t see. Each live episode features four famous bachelors sitting in rotating chairs, only getting to hear their potential dates. If a celeb likes what he hears he pulls his “love handle,” and the chair spins. If more than one star turns around, the single gal picks the celeb she wants to date. Each star picks three potential partners, and then they move to the speed round where each woman has 15 seconds to convince the bachelor to pick her for the final round. After each bachelor eliminates one mate, the show moves on to a pageant round, in which the host, So You Think You Can Dance’s Cat Deeley, poses questions to the two that remain, at which point the celeb makes his pick and the pair get whisked away on a dream date. The Choice premieres June 7th.
TRAIN IS THE LATEST “BAND” TO MAKE THEIR OWN WINE
Considering Train started out in San Francisco surrounded by wineries, it shouldn't be too big of a surprise to learn that Train has come out with their own wine. A couple of years ago the band decided that they wanted to bring San Francisco to the rest of the world and knew the best way to do it is with wine. In collaboration with ACME Wine Movers, a newly formed division of The Wine Group, the band started the Save Me, San Francisco Wine Co., named after their 2009 album which included the hit "Hey, Soul Sister." Their first bottling was a red named after another hit, "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)." A second wine, Calling All Angels chardonnay, followed and the latest release is California 37 cabernet sauvignon, named after the band's newly released album. The wine is made in the Livermore Valley wine region east of San Francisco and sells for $9.99. Band members visited the winery before finalizing the collaboration and work with the winemaker in approving the final blend. Train's Save Me, San Francisco wines are available online and have made restaurant lists around the country, including the Hard Rock Cafe chain,. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the wines goes to support Family House, a San Francisco-based nonprofit providing temporary housing to families of seriously ill children.
NEW STONE SOUR IS DUE OUT IN OCTOBER!
Corey Taylor will have very little rest this year, as he'll be going from a Slipknot summer tour right into the next Stone Sour album. Taylor says, "The new album, which does have a title but I won't give it away yet, is slated to be released October 2012." Taylor and the band have been recording the album at Sound Farm Studios just outside of their hometown of Des Moines, Iowa with producer David Bottrill (Tool, Staind).
TURNS OUT COURTNEY LOVE DOESN’T HAVE CONTROL OF NIRVANA SO MUCH AFTER ALL!
It seems like Courtney Love's talk (and ramblings and complaints) about her late husband Kurt Cobain's catalog means even less than we thought. The Fix reports that Love agreed to step down as acting manager of End of Music LLC -- which control's Cobain's publicity rights -- once she'd received a $2.75-million loan from Frances Bean Cobain's trust fund in 2010. Love has no say over Cobain dealings until she pays back the loan, so Frances makes all the decisions about her father now. The Fix also reports that Primary Wave Music holds all the administrative rights to Cobain's catalog, controlling the use of Nirvana songs in films and other media. That means Love lied when she said Disney had no right to use "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in The Muppets.
STP WILL PLAY TAKE IT TO THE CORE ON THE UPCOMING TOUR!
Scott Weiland has confirmed the rumors that Stone Temple Pilots will perform their debut album, Core, in its entirety on their upcoming tour Weiland tells Rolling Stone, "I think it'll be really fun, because the one thing that I got tired of was sort of playing the same basic set list every night. It was like, 'the hits.' This way, it's something different, and I think it will be cool." Weiland adds that he'd be willing to work with Velvet Revolver again after their brief reunion at a charity gig in January. He says, "If Maynard [James Keenan] can do it with A Perfect Circle and Tool, then there's no reason why I shouldn't go and do it with both bands." STP's tour starts on September 1st in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
BRUCE DICKINSON’S GOT A NEW GIG…
Iron Maiden singer -- and pilot -- Bruce Dickinson has launched an aircraft maintenance business in the U.K. Cardiff Aviation announced on Tuesday it was taking over a hanger in south Wales that was used by the Royal Air Force for 75 years. Dickinson's company plans to maintain airliners and other large aircraft for major and independent airlines.
JACK WHITE SCORES HIS FIRST #1 RECORD!
Jack White had to release an album under his own name to top the Billboard 200 album chart. White's solo debut, Blunderbuss, bows at number-one with 138,000 copies sold last week, according to the latest SoundScan figures. White's previous high on the album chart was number-two in 2007 with the final White Stripes album, Icky Thump. The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather collectively scored seven Top 10 albums.
BUSH ADDS A DOZEN HEADLINING DATES TO THEIR CURRENT TOUR SANS NICKELBACK…
Bush have added nearly a dozen U.S. headlining shows on what were previously days off from their current Here & Now tour supporting Nickelback, which goes through the end of July. Seether will join them for the first two shows -- Rochester, Minnesota on May 21st and San Antonio, Texas on June 3rd -- while Slash is on the bill in London, Ontario on July 26th. Other cities where they'll headline include Fresno, Nashville, Providence, Portland (Maine) and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where they'll close out their North American touring on August 1st, before heading to Europe on the 10th of that month.
SORRY LADIES, THE LAST SINGLE MEMBER OF THE KINGS OF LEON IS GETTING HITCHED!
Bassist Jared Followill, the last single member of Kings of Leon, is engaged to be married. According to the website JustJared -- and confirmed to them by the band's publicist -- Jared proposed to model Martha Patterson at his Nashville home on April 11th. The ring was a four-carat cushion-cut diamond set on a diamond-covered band that he'd designed himself. Since their last performance in November, the band has on been what drummer Nathan Followill described as "a six-month hiatus." If that's still true, they should be heading back to work soon.
HEY JOE: WE GOT THE GUINNESS WORLD RECORD!
If you're a Jimi Hendrix fan, then Poland is where you needed to be on Tuesday. That's where 7,273 guitar players gathered together for the Thanks Jimi Festival and to play "Hey Joe." The performance, led by Jimi's brother, Leon Hendrix, broke the 2009 record for the Largest Guitar Ensemble when 6,346 guitarists got together for "Hey Joe." Helping them out that day was Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse.
